20 September 2011

IN continuation of her efforts to
develop the shipbuilding sector of the Nigerian maritime industry, the Management of the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has concluded arrangements with a
Dutch firm to establish Africa's first Ship recycling facility in Nigeria.

' Director General of the Agency Mr.
Temisan Omatseye made this disclosure during a presentation to NIMASA by
representatives of the Southern African Shipyard (SAS) who were in the country
to explore the possibility of establishing a Shipyard in Nigeria.

Omatseye stated that the exact location
for the Ship recycling facility is the only challenge being sorted out by the
Agency. While stating that construction work should commence by the fourth
quarter of this year, the DG expressed optimism that the project will have a
positive multiplier effect on the Nigerian maritime sector.

“Ship recycling offers a possibility to
reuse significant parts and equipment of the ship. Steel can be recycled to
produce new steel, reducing the energy required for processing by two-thirds.
Copper cables and aluminum may also be recycled in similar ways. This way we
reuse natural resources. With our vessel replacement programme on course, you
will agree with me that establishing a ship recycling facility in Nigeria will
avoid waste and create wealth for Nigerians,” he said.

The DG noted that international
standards will be adopted in establishing the facility to avoid environmental
hazards adding that adequate environmental impact assessment will be carried
out before its final site is determined. Mr Omatseye also stated that NIMASA
will adhere strictly to the provisions of the Hong Kong International
Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships which was
adopted in May 2009.

This Convention is aimed at ensuring
that ships, when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational
lives; do not pose any unnecessary risk to human health and safety or to the
environment.

The new Convention intends to address
all the issues around ship recycling, including the fact that ships sold for
scrapping may contain environmentally hazardous substances such as asbestos,
heavy metals, hydrocarbons, ozone-depleting substances and others.

Ships to be sent for recycling will be
required to carry an inventory of hazardous materials, which will be specific
to each ship.

Ship recycling yards will be required
to provide a "Ship Recycling Plan", to specify the manner in which
each ship will be recycled, depending on its particulars and its inventory.